Year 8 – Late Autumn, Lunaris Academy
The announcement rang through every tower of Lunaris that morning.Golden scrolls drifted from the academy's sky, their glowing script unfolding like ribbons of light.
"By decree of the Council of Houses:All students of commerce, alchemy, and applied cultivation shall participate in the Autumn Trade Exhibition.Each team may establish a temporary shop within the Night District for seven days.Profit and reputation will determine rank.Top performers may obtain permanent guild permits."
Rosa almost tripped over a stack of cauldrons running toward Ketsuraku's workbench.
"Did you hear that? We can finally open our own stall!"He barely looked up from his vial, swirling liquid light between his fingers."A shop, huh? Seems small for two people who nearly broke the Bureau's purity scanners.""Three," a calm voice corrected.
Both turned. Standing in the doorway was Luminous Akari Noctelle—white hair shimmering, clipboard tucked beneath one arm, her red-and-blue eyes measuring every detail of the room.
"By academy regulation," she said smoothly, "every new business must have a certified supervisor. I've been assigned to evaluate your performance."
Rosa frowned. "You mean spy on us."Luminous didn't blink. "Evaluate."
Ketsuraku sighed. "Looks like fate sent us an auditor with good posture."
Rosa grinned wickedly. "Fine. But if we're going to be partners, we need a name."
"For what?" Luminous asked."Our shop." Rosa crossed her arms proudly. "The Alchemy Shop of Three Moons."
For a moment, even Luminous paused—her gaze flicking toward the sky, where Lunaris's three celestial orbs glowed faintly red, white, and violet.
"Acceptable," she said at last.
The Night District
Their rented platform floated above the lower bazaar, a circular space bordered by spider lilies and red lanterns. Rosa arranged glass bottles in neat arcs, each glowing faintly with Blood Qi.Ketsuraku handled refinement, his astral projection still brewing potions in the reflection world below—each new vial shimmering into existence beside him through portals of red code.Luminous sat at a crystalline table, recalculating profit margins with detached precision.
"Your prices are too emotional," she said."And yours are too cold," Rosa shot back."Profit isn't a feeling.""Neither is charm."
Ketsuraku leaned against the counter, amused.
"We'll test both theories. Rosa handles customers. Luminous handles numbers. I'll keep the peace."
The day began.
Three Ways to Sell
Rosa's voice carried like a melody through the market.
"Freshly brewed! Recovery potions crafted under the twin moons! Guaranteed purity!"Students flocked to her, drawn by her laughter more than her wares.
Luminous, meanwhile, sat silently nearby, creating dynamic price illusions. The numbers above each bottle shimmered, adjusting in real time with demand. Buyers who hesitated saw the prices climb; those who acted quickly got discounts.
Ketsuraku balanced between them, trading words and gestures, reading customers with quiet precision.A noble hesitated at a price. Ketsuraku smiled, his tone casual but magnetic.
"You don't need a potion," he said softly. "You need insurance. One vial today saves five tomorrow."The noble nodded, almost hypnotized, and handed over double payment.
[Skill Progression]
Alchemy level 1 – 48% Mastery
Silver Tongue level 1 – 26% Mastery
By dusk, the shop was overflowing. The fountain beside them glowed crimson with reflected lanterns. Rosa's enthusiasm kept the energy high; Luminous's calm prevented chaos. Together they were balance in motion.
Quiet After Closing
When the last customer left, the platform sank into quiet. Rosa stretched, smiling proudly.
"We're actually good at this.""Statistically adequate," Luminous replied."Statistically adorable," Rosa countered.Ketsuraku chuckled. "Don't start using math as a weapon."
Luminous adjusted her glasses, studying him over their remaining vials.
"Your aura still feels… unusual. Like a melody I've heard in another dream."
Her words froze him for an instant.Behind his eyes, the River of Blood stirred, whispering through his mind.Hel's voice floated faintly:
"The rivers are meeting again."
He forced a small smile. "Dreams are good teachers."
The Exhibition's End
Seven days passed in rhythm—brewing, selling, learning.On the final night, golden banners rose through the Night District: Rankings Announced.
First Place: House Alchemy – "Aurum Synthesis Guild"
Second Place: The Alchemy Shop of Three Moons
Third Place: House Finance – "Noctelle Holdings"
Rosa cheered, throwing her arms around Ketsuraku before realizing what she'd done.
"We actually beat most of the noble Houses!""Correction," Luminous said calmly, "we almost beat all of them."Then, after a pause, her tone softened."Not bad… for a first venture."
The academy issued them a permanent stall in the Night District—a modest platform of black marble with a floating crimson banner bearing their name.
The System pulsed with light:
[System Update]Trade Rank Increased – Tier I (Merchant Apprentice)Permanent Shop License Granted.You may now manage staff, storage, and cross-realm supply lines.
[Skill Progression]
Alchemy level 1 – 54% Mastery
Silver Tongue level 1 – 31% Mastery
That night, the three stood outside their shop as the moons rose above Lunaris.Rosa leaned against the railing, eyes shining.
"We did it.""We began it," Luminous corrected, though her faint smile betrayed pride."Then let's keep going," Ketsuraku said.
The spider lilies below swayed, crimson petals reflecting three different moons.For the first time, he felt it clearly—the quiet rhythm that tied them all together.Blood, logic, and silence.
The beginning of an empire.